April 16, 2008

Emily Jane Hilscher

Emily Jane Hilscher, a freshman animal and poultry sciences major, was the beloved daughter of Eric and Elizabeth Hilscher, best friend and sister of Erica, and granddaughter of Gilman and Mary Carlson and Carl and Merle Hilscher.

Her hometown was Woodville, Va., and she was a graduate of Rappahannock County High School, Class of 2006. She was a skilled horsewoman, animal lover, enthusiastic cook, and imaginative artisan. Emily was always wise beyond her years and insisted on fairness in everything. She was eternally trying to save someone or something. She wanted people to be happy.

Emily had a passion for horses, and in the fall of 2006, she began what, for her, was to be an eight-year journey at Virginia Tech that would have culminated in her becoming a veterinarian and then working in an equine practice.

Emily became a member of the Virginia Tech equestrian team in spring 2007. She was a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and competed successfully in her first show at Virginia Intermont College on Feb. 12, 2007. She was scheduled to compete in her second show on April 21.

According to her equestrian team coach, “Emily was just entering her Intercollegiate riding career. She showed great promise and had a perfect attitude that would have made her a very successful intercollegiate rider. Her strong work ethic and determination was always displayed as she spent long hours at equestrian club events always with a smile on her face.”